The Pulpit Commentary — Micah — Section 74

over a nmeomed and redeemed world. And to that bright day of God we look on with longing hearts. De.wn upon our de.rkened world it surely will. God hBB not totally "given up" and abandoned our sin-stricken and sin-stained world. Even his with- dnnrnls are with a view to the spiritual good of his children, and are followed, whel) the discipline is accomplished, by brighter e.nd more glorious blanifestations of his love and grace. "At the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue shnll confess him Lord." His kingdom shall come, and his "will be done on earth, even o.s it is done in heaven." Ver. 4.-The ministering Christ. The whole of this chapter is more or less occupied with graphic descriptions of the Christ of God drawn ages before he appeared; and setting forth his nature, his work, and his influence upon the world and the race. A little child has been called "an unsolved problem." We dare not be so bold as to attempt to foreC11St the future of any child. This, however, is done here respecting the" Babe of Bethlehem." Distinct Divine"pre-intimations were given concerning the destiny of this mighty Child, and to which he has proved himself gloriously true. Here he is presented to us as the ministering Ohrist. We have predicted here- L TBE BOLY IIITh'lSTERING LIFE or THE CHRIST or GoD. "And he shall stand and feed," etc. (ver. 4). It was thus declared that the very coming of Christ would be a descent with a view to helpfulness. In his advent the lofty would descend to tbe- low, the strong to the feeble, for the express purpose of ministering unto them in order that he might lift up the fallen and restore the erring, and strengthen the weak by his own great might and love. This ministering character of the life of the Christ who was to appear was set forth by this and other Hebrew seers under the figure of a shepherd tending bis flock. This was natural in view of the national history. The Jewish people gloried in David as one raised from the sheepfold to the throne, and rejoiced in him as their shepherd-king. Hence with appropriateness the prophets referred to" great David's greater Son" under this simple yet beautiful emblem. Th~ allusions, too, were in harmony with the destined birthplace of the Messiah-a locality so thoroughly pastoral in its character, and upon the plains' of. which district the Eastern shepherds kept constant watch. The emblem is admirably suggestive·of the character and work of the Messiah, setting forth : 1. His gentleneu; the weak, the tired. the tempted, the erring, being tended by him with patient love (Isa. xl. 11). 2. His watclifvlnus. "He shall stand," etc. (ver. 4); the posture indicating alertnesS', readi!. ness to protect and defend. 3. His Bttccours. He should ".feed" the flock, supplying abundantly the spiritnal wants of his people, and fully satisfying the longings and aspirations of their hearts. The records of the evangelists indicate how truly " ministering" in character tbe life of Christ was, and how that the most trusty shepherd watching over the flock committed to his charge but faintly images bis -n-ondrons care (Matt. XL 28). His followers are to emulate his example, and to live ministering lives (Matt. xx. 26, 27). He, as "the Man Christ Jesus," pursued his course of holy service "in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the Name of the Lord bis God." And this Divine influence is available to all his servants. lL THE PROSPERITY OF ALL WHO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF BIS MINIBTEBINGB AND wuo oollMIT THEIIISELVES UNTO BIB CABE. "And they shall abide." 1. The thought of rut is suggested. "And they shall abide;" literally, "sit." The idea is the ame 88 in Ps. xxili. 2, " He maketh me to lie down," etc. Delightful repose-rest for the weary. The pastures of tiin are dry and parched, and its waters are troubled, and man seeks in vain therein freedom from unrest; but when the heart reposes in Christ, then it knows what it is to lie down on the pastures of tender grass, and by the water& of quietness. 2. The thought of ,ecurity is also suggested. They shall sit withottt fear of harm overtaking them, because he" stands," their Guardian against all intrusion. and invasion, ready as their champion to defend them from all peril,. and to maintain their cause. So shall they dwell at rest and in security, and true prosperity be theirs perpetually. "And they shall abide." III. THE B0N0UB WITH WHICH THE 'MINISTERil\O CHRIST, BY BEASON OF ms CONDESCENDING AND GRACIOUS SERVICE, ll!ULL BE 0ll0WNED. "For now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth." "For now." The far-distant future was present to the prophet's gaze 88 he uttered these words, and he referred to it as though it bad fflt, v. 1---16.J THE BOOK OF MICAH. 75,